The San Antonio Spurs are back in the Western Conference semifinals for the first time in nearly a decade, and they made sure there was no drama in getting there.
San Antonio delivered a commanding performance Tuesday night, rolling past the Portland Trail Blazers 114-95 in Game 5 to clinch their first-round playoff series. The Spurs never trailed, asserting control early and steadily building a lead that ballooned to as many as 28 points in a dominant closeout victory.
At the center of it all was Victor Wembanyama, who continued to showcase his all-around brilliance. The young star finished with 17 points, 14 rebounds, and six blocks, anchoring both ends of the floor and making life miserable for Portland in the paint.
San Antonio’s offensive balance proved just as important. De’Aaron Fox led the scoring effort with 21 points, controlling the tempo and attacking the Blazers’ defense. Julian Champagnie added 19 points, providing a key scoring spark, while Dylan Harper chipped in 17 in a poised postseason performance.
The Spurs’ victory marked their third straight win in the series after facing early resistance from Portland. Once San Antonio found its rhythm, however, the matchup quickly turned one-sided, with the Spurs’ defense and depth overwhelming the Blazers.
For the franchise, the win carries added significance. It’s San Antonio’s first trip to the Western Conference semifinals since 2017, when they defeated the Houston Rockets before a devastating ankle injury to Kawhi Leonard derailed their title hopes, ultimately leading to a sweep by the Golden State Warriors in the conference finals.
Now, a new era is writing its own story.
The Spurs will await the winner of the series between the Denver Nuggets and the Minnesota Timberwolves. Minnesota currently holds a 3-2 series lead, with Game 6 set for Thursday, leaving San Antonio watching closely as it prepares for its next postseason challenge.
If this performance is any indication, the Spurs won’t just be satisfied with getting to the second round—they look ready to make a deeper run.
